Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

In 2018, World Bank published estimates that said global waste is likely to grow by 70% by 2050. East Asia and the Pacific regions were responsible for generating about a quarter of the global waste¹.

Since the publication of this report, companies have been making a concerted push for sustainability. This has brought into focus the role of Life Cycle Assessment.

What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

As humans, everything that we produce and consume has an impact on the environment. LCA measures the impact of products right from the cradle to the grave. The typical life cycle comprises of stages starting with the extraction of raw materials, design and formulation, processing, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, use, re-use, recycling and, ultimately, waste disposal.

A thorough LCA helps organisations to measure and analyse the environmental impact of their products, reduce costs and enhance sustainability. As a decision support tool when used in the right way, LCA can help to ensure that a company’s choices are environmentally sound in the design, manufacture or use of a product / system. On the financial aspect, experience shows that companies using LCA can discover important product improvements, new approaches to process optimisation and in some cases, new ways of meeting the same need but with a new product, or with a service.

There is, however, an acute shortage of qualified LCA professionals, and anyone who chooses to get the necessary certification can definitely get a boost to their careers.

TÜV SÜD’s LCA Course

TÜV SÜD is a global leader in providing safety, security, sustainability and quality solutions to companies and governments around the world. Drawing on its experience of over 150 years and its global expertise, it has now launched training courses in a range of areas.

TÜV SÜD’s LCA training course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of procedures and discover opportunities to leverage LCA in improving sustainability. The one-day instructor-led course provides a solid foundation for professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in environmental sustainability practices and regulatory compliance.

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental concept of Life Cycle Assessment according to ISO 14040/14044 standards.
• Utilise LCA results to enhance product environmental performance and create value for different stakeholders.
• Acquire familiarity with basic LCA procedures, requirements and relevant standards.
• Recognise the importance of conducting critical reviews for LCAs.
• Identify global regulatory requirements regarding sustainable production and opportunities for LCA application in various global markets.
• Develop a deeper understanding of global sustainability policies and initiatives with a particular emphasis on ASEAN countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.

The course will prepare manufacturing and supply chain managers and other decision-makers to integrate sustainability into their business process

For more information on the training courses, click here.